Apparatus for golf practice.



No. 883,058. I PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908. A. R. SPRAGUB.

APPARATUS FOR GOLF PRACTICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.19,1907.

OW/TNESSg; fjwm I UNITED STATES PATENT omen.

ALMERIN a. sraaoua, or sacnmnn'ro, oatrronnm.

no. ees,oes.

' s a-maniac a ram Patent.

hated March 24, mos.

Application and s a 10,4001. Bartel Io. seam.

specification.

My invention relates generally to exercisg ap aratus, and moreparticularly to a device (17 the use of which an as can be acquireindifferent strokes employed in the y practice on the links.

It is especially ada ted to enable ers to acquire the art of 'tting theball Wlth, the

different clubs without the wasteof time required in following up theball after'each stroke. Upon the open links the learner can,

make comparatively few strokes in a longafternoon of practice; while bythe use of my invention, in which the ball is confined to certainlimits, the strokes can be repeated in quick succession.

My invention will be readily understood from the following description,which is-to be t u This connectlon 18 shown as a stro read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, which show one practical form in whichsuch invention can be embodied.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the entire a. paratus. Fig. 2 is anenlarged detail elevation of the connection between the clastic part ofthe'device and the-means for changing the radiusof action. "Fig. 3 is aplan view of part of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section of the ball sho a meansfor connecting it to the remain or of the apparatus. In any convenientplace a stake or pin 1 formin a pivot, is ground nearly to its head.Encircling the stake 'ust above the ground is a loose in which pla Ibolt 3, the ot erend of which is swiveled in a ring 4. An adjustable andflexible connection extends from ring 4 to a bail or clevis 6. cord 5adjustable as to, length by having its ends tied at any point desired;but a. strap adjustable as to l h by an ordinary buckle can besubstituted for the cord as will readily'understood. The cord or strapcan be connected to the clevis 6 either directly or by means of theintermediate shown.

To the clevis 6 is secured anot er flex ible connection which is whollyor partially Esme ofgolf, in far less time'than is possibleshown ashavingi its farther end upset over riven firmly into the 2 freely oneend of the swivel be The one of which passes the clevis 6, and throughthe others similar clevis 9. For the full length of elastic webbingshown canbe substituted acord of elastic rubber as well as a length ofnon-elastic material contai an elastic section. For the elastic part bthe connection, I have also used a heavy endless rubber band with ood'results. To the clevis 9 is connecte an eyebolt 10 which is embedded inthe-ball 11, and is wide base '13, from which rises a short stan ard=14, the upper end of which is slightly cup-shaped to receive the ballwithout interfenng with the stroke. This tee is connected to someconvenient art of the apparatus, such as the clevis 9, y a short cord15, and can' be detachedif desired. When attached, it follows the motionof the rest of the apparatus, and forms a convenient attachment,especially when the. apparatus is used indoors. I V

In this apparatus the connection between t e stake and ball is adjustedto give the desired radius of action, a longer radius being used for theheavier strokes, such as the stroke. Theball is placed in properposition for the stroke to practiced as directl upon the und or upon atee, It is t on struck with the proper club, causing it and the parts inconnection with it, to make one or more'revolutime around the stake. Ofcourse the stroke can be obtained in a short time. The elastic part ofthe flexible connection takes up the jar caused. by the stroke, relievesthe connection of much of the strain which a non-elastic connectionwould permit, and thus dprolongs the life of the apparatus. ouble swiveljoint, which permits all the parts to rotate upon their longitudinalaxis? revents anzetwisti of the cord or of the e astic, and t withspecial reference to the all, permits some strokes such as the loftingstroke to be 110 same acilit of rotation,v

practiced, which could not be easily done without a free rotary mot onbeing allowed to the ball.

I do not limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement hereindescribed and shown in the drawing.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a stake having an enlargedhead, a ring loosely embracing the stake below the head, a bar 3 havinga swivel connection with the ring, a ring 4 swiveled on the bar 3, aclevis 6, an ad'ustable and flexible connection between t e clevis '6and ring 4, a piece of elastic webbing 7, leather loops secured to each.end thereof one of which is connected to the clevis 6, a clevis 9connected to the other loop, a ball. and an eyebolt secured therein andconnected with the clevis 9.

2. In an apparatus for golf ractice, the 20 combination w1th a stake, abe] and a flexible connection between them, of a ball-su port or teeadapted to be detachably secured to said connection.

In testimony whereof I have affixedm signature in resence of twowitnesses the 22nd day of arch 1907.

ALMERIN R. S'PRAGUE.

Witnesses:

CLARA Games, R L. SHINN.

